Fact Sheets

Free downloadable fact sheets on how to avoid seclusion in mental health settings.

Explore our evidence-based fact sheets, available for download, printing, and sharing. These resources are tailored to individuals seeking information about how to avoid the experience of seclusion in mental health settings.

Please take note of the following guidelines:

  • You are encouraged to freely download and distribute these fact sheets, provided that their content remains unaltered.

  • These documents aim to shed light on why an Advanced Health Directive is so important and how to develop one to enable safety and your views to be heard when hospitalised. They are not a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

  • They are not intended for commercial use, and hosting them electronically outside of the Keep Safe. Be Heard. You Matter. website is not permitted.

We hope these fact sheets offer valuable insights into to avoid seclusion in mental health settings and contribute to improved understanding and support.

Fact Sheet 1: Download diagram of Advanced Health Directive (AHD) Steps here

Summary: Here we provide a quick access to the simplified diagram of all the steps you need to take to complete an AHD for people with a mental health condition. It also includes the points at which you need to involve other key people to help you with it. An AHD in your hands and given to mental health professionals involved in your care can make a really big difference to how you are treated. The AHD can let them know what you find helps you best, so they can avoid acting in ways you find distressing or unhelpful.

This fact sheet is supported by an audio commentary from a solicitor - see the home page

Are stuck on step 2 of the AHD (Consent)? We have provide some suggestions to help here

To complete your own advanced health directive please go here and download your own copy

Fact Sheet 2: The Pros and Cons of Advanced Health Directives (AHD) in Mental Health Situations

Summary: Making the decision to complete an AHD can be tricky mainly because it is a legal document. As such it is very specific what is required. It isn’t quite the same as a will but it does have the same intention, and it’s a living will. AHDs empower individuals to articulate their treatment preferences in advance, offering the promise of greater autonomy, well-being, and prevention of harm. This tool, however, is not without its complexities and challenges. This fact sheet will delve into these pros and cons and aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of AHDs in mental health settings and their potential impact on the well-being of service users.

You might find it helpful to listen to Rosiel’s experiences of making and using an Advanced Health Directive - see the home page

Fact Sheet 3: Knowing Your Rights and How to Advocate for Yourself

Summary: This fact sheet aims to provide an introduction to key parts of the Queensland Mental Health Act 2016. For a comprehensive guide to the Act and related matters, please go to the main government website here

The fact sheet provides you with an outline of the rights and advocacy strategies available to individuals involved in involuntary mental health care. Understanding the legal framework and your rights as a service user is essential for ensuring that mental health services are delivered in a way that respects individual dignity, autonomy and well-being.

Fact Sheet 4: Factors that Can Reduce the Risk of Seclusion

Summary: This fact sheet is centred around Advance Health Directives (AHDs), also referred to as Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs). These directives serve as a structured plan for mental health treatment preferences. Our research suggests that utilising AHDs holds significant benefits. Specifically, when individuals employ AHDs, their chances of having their voices heard and ensuring their safety within a mental health facility increase.

There is considerable lived experience evidence and research evidence of the harm caused by seclusion and restraint. The Queensland Government’s most recent report is available here